Former South Yorkshire teacher to take on toughest race in the world

A former South Yorkshire teacher is to trek across the Sahara Desert in aid of Rotherham’s Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Iain Winterbottom, aged 28, who used to teach geography at Wales High School, will compete in the famous Marathon des Sables.

The race takes place across seven days covering a course of 156 miles – equivalent to five-and-a-half marathons.

Iain, who now lives in Abu Dhabi, said: “Working with young people on a daily basis and knowing the work the hospice does, it seems only appropriate to continue my support even though I am not currently in the country.

“The work it does is invaluable and I want to support the children and young adults.

“Being able to support the great care Bluebell Wood provides is rewarding.

“The pain I will endure and determination I will need to complete this will not come close to the strength shown on daily basis by the young people in the hospice’s care.”